Progress Pics

Friday, January 8, 2010

Perfect Ten Challenge, Perfect Work out, Perfect Day

1) Begin the NROL4W program (THE NEW RULES OF LIFTING FOR WOMEN - LIFT LIKE A MAN, LOOK LIKE A GODDESS). This program requires 3 work outs a week and I completed my third yesterday (and will be posting it below, as I committed to posting my work outs from now on).

One week on this program and I KNOW that this is the right path for me. I am sore all over, but in a good way. The lunges, squats, push-ups and step-ups KILL me but I just know that the effort is going to pay off!

2) Begin Training for the New Haven Road Race: I only did jogging intervals once this week. I found out that women tend to be really "quad dominant"--meaning the fronts of our thighs tend to be MUCH stronger than the back by as much as 50-75% -- which is one reason that we are far more prone to running injuries, as the muscular development of our thighs tends to be unbalanced.

Some body builders have suggested that I spend the initial phase of the NROL4W program to really hammer the backs of my thighs and bring their development up BEFORE I get more serious about the running. This would likely make the running easier for me over the long-term and make me less prone to running injuries.

This makes sense but I am really addicted to the idea of running so I don't know if I will stop the jogging intervals completely or not during this phase. But I am going to be working those hammies and glutes to the max!

3) Lose 20 pounds by the end of the challenge. Since I don't weigh myself too often I'll just have to trust that if I continue to do what I know I should, the weight will come off. Since I also joined that fitness challenge for women over on the JP board, I'll have to weigh myself at the beginning of February and we'll see where I am at then.

4) Improve sleep habits: I have actually had improvement in this area. There was only one night this week when I couldn't sleep well. I forced myself to get up early and not sleep-in the next morning-- so that I'd be extra tired the following night and not start a bad cycle of being up late and sleeping late. This seemed to work.

Now, as part of this challenge, I am supposed to reveal something that you probably don't know about me. Well, this may freak some of you out but, ever since I was a little kid I have been extremely psychic AND able to speak with dead people.

I know, I know, I expect you to skeptical. I would be too. But I am not talking about vague info here, I get dates, names, info that I couldn't possibly know or guess at. I can't explain it--- it feels similar to making art or music-- like it comes in from somewhere else.

For many years, I made my living doing this. I stopped. Why? I started noticing that a lot of people get overly attached to psychic readers and readings, and they depend on that instead of on God.

People should not call me first when they have a problem, they should call God first. I started feeling like I was not serving people's best interests by doing this so I don't do it too much now.

Now on to yesterday's killer work out!

Thursday's work out:

Warm up - Yoga stretches

Squat15/65#15/65#

Push Up (45 degrees)1515

Bent Over BB Row15/50#15/50#

Step ups (18" box)15/15#15/15#

DB Pullovers15/30#15/30#

Side bends holding 25# plate15/25#15/25#15/25#15/25#

Crunches2525

Leg Lifts1515

Preacher Curls10/25#10/25#

Single-Arm Skull crushers15/25#15/25#

DB Chest Press15/25#15/25#

DB Flies15/15#15/15#

Cool down: A few more simple stretches

I upped the squat weight by ten LBS and feel like I can up it by another 10 next time. I think I may be able to squat with 100 or more pounds by the end of the first phase.

The step-ups really kill me! You can understand why they are so effective.

Today was a gorgeous winter day. DH had the day off from work and we had a gift card that we got for X-mas..... so we decided to go out for a fancy lunch. We went to Jimmies here in West Haven. This restaurant is on the beach -- when we walk on the boardwalk, it is right there-- tempting everyone with the great smells!

So we ordered steak and salads, and had a lovely view as we had window seats. I snapped some photos just for you! The sun is trying to break through the clouds in the pic above. Then in the pic below of geese swimming near the shore, you can see a beautiful ray of light coming down. Don't you love it when you take pics and stuff like that happens?

When we left the restaurant we brought our scraps outside for the sea gulls. They hang-out hoping to be fed. Sometimes we actually order french fries to go for the gulls. LOL Here are some pics of Jeff feeding them.

They'll hover right in front of you and if you throw food up in the air they'll catch it. This is so cool to watch! How fitting that on the day of my perfect ten update--- I had a perfect day!

Oh Lori-Ann - I just love reading your posts. They are so full of valuable information. I am 100% sure that the reason my running training ended short was because I was not balanced. My Quads were strong but my poor hams are weak. Hence bad alignment for my hip. I am finding this Yoga really good for my glutes and hams and getting me stretched out. I just have to make sure I really stretch when I start jogging again.

And way to go on your goals - they look fantastic. We are all going to do so good on this challenge - well really 2010 as a whole (doesn't end in 10 weeks).

Psychic eh? (yes I'm Canadian :) - I love it!! Always was a dream of mine if you can believe it.

What an interesting fact about you. I have always wondered how that works, and I'm still curious, but that there are people able to communicate with the dead, I do believe. Though I'm 100% with you on needing to turn to God first.

Interesting fact... My mum used to get so much 'information' she asked for the gift to be taken away... I don't look for messages - I tend to get them when I least expect it, like when I'm relaxing in the bath! I'm not experienced enough to know what to do about them, though, and some have been quite distressing... :o(

With the running....I started the couch to 5k thing when I was about 240 pounds. I was not doing weights at all then..and I really started slowly. I think I had one foot issue about 8 weeks in and a tweaked upper glute once that was okay after a couple days. But..my quads and hamstrings seemed ok. I say..to just try it....see how it feels, start slowish..and go from there. You know your body..and when to stop. Pay attention to your gait...go to runners world or somewhere and read a couple articles about foot fall. Also, be sure to get shoes that support your gait. (I am a supinator...so I need a certain kind of shoe that keeps me from doing that).

That is fascinating that you have psycic abilities. I suppose that can be a good and bad blessing in many ways, but a blessing nonetheless.

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Over 400 Pounds--Yikes!

Hike At West Rock Park

Sept. 2009 and over 100 pounds lighter

December 2009

135 Pounds Lighter

Total Miles are from September 15, 2009

Measuring Up

Monthly Measurement Progress

2009July 26 though September 12 - 16 1/2"September 12 through October 15 - - 10"October 15 through November 19 - 6 1/2"November 19 through December 17 - 6"December 17 through January 5 - 2"Total inches lost = 512010January 5 through January 31 - February 1 through February 28- March 1 through March 31 -April 1 through April 30

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About Me

I am 6'3" woman who has already lost over 160 pounds and needs to lose another seventy -- at least. I would love to be able to run again! This blog will chronicle my journey. Encouragement and helpful info will be appreciated. I LOVE to read so if you are also losing weight or striving towards greater fitness and have a blog, please make me aware of it. Also, any good books or articles on nutrition and fitness-- especially as it relates to running or weight training.